Check-protector.



G., w. BEBBB. I GHEGK' PROTBGTORL APPLIOATIOYN FILED-IAN. 2a, 1901.

WrmEssEs |NVENTOR GAYLORD w. BEEBE PATENTED SEPT. 26 190 5. v

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

BY 'ms AT1'ORNEYS.

No. 800,353. PATENTED SEPT. 26,1905. e. W. BEEBE.

CHECK PROTECTOR. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEBT 2 III Q E v $1.050 yy. BEEBE I I PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

G. W. BEEBE.

CHECK PROTECTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 28, 1901.

4 SHBETS-SHEBT 3.

Mm F w INVENTQH GAYLoRo w. BEEBE @MW Hl$ ATTORNEYS.

. a Fig.6

WITNESSES PATENTED SEBT. 26, 1905; w. BEEBE. CHECK momma.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 190}.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WnNEssEs proved operating-arm for the die-2p UNI E sTA Es iATENT F GAYLORD W..BEEBE, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO e. w. TODD &-GOMPANY, OF. ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A FIRM.

, CHECKgPROTECTOR.

.- Specification of Letters .Patent.

' -Paten'ted. Sept. 26, 1905.

Application filed {Jane 28, 1901. Serial no; 45,011.

ments in Check-Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices designed for marking'checks, drafts, bonds, or other instruments with figures or characters in such afmanner as to prevent their being altered or raised, the object being to provide a machine to puncture the paper on the proper line to form the character desired and at the same time ink the punctures or perforations so that it will be impossible without detection to change any figure or character that has been made upon the paper.

A further object is to improve and" simplify the construction ofthe devices for a similar purpose, shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States Nos. 554,613, 576,999, and 594,309, issued to me, respectively, February 11, 1896, February 16, 1897, and November 23,-1897. Other objects will appear ing detailed description. v

The invention consists generally in providing means for inking the dies beforethe perforation of the paper.

Further, the invention consists in improved means for inking the dies after the perforation ofthepaper.

Further, the invention consists in an improved means for depressing thedie-plate.

Further, the invention consists in improved means for operating'the feed mechanism.

' Further, the invention consists: arious constructions and combinations, all*as "he'rein after described, and particularly pointed 'out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specificat1on Figure 1 is a plan view of acheck-protector Fig. 2 isa side embodying my invention. v n a v elevation of the same. Fig. 3 1s a horizontal section on the line z 2 of Fig. 7 Fig} fl is a vertical section on the line w a" of Fig. 7 Fig; 5 is a vertical'section on the line w a of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 0 o of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectionon the line 0 0 of Fig. 6. Fig 8 is a horizontal sec tion on the line of Fig. 7. Figs. 9 and 19 f from the followv cdntact with it'and thoroughly inked. Further, the invention consistsin an im- 1 are details of the inking-roll-operating mechanism; Fig. 11 is a detail of the inking-roll. Figs. 12 and 13 are details of an inking-brush adapted for use iii place oftheroll.

the drawings, 2 represents a hollow base or casing within which. a-portion of the operating mechanism is arranged. This casing is preferably rectangular in form and of any suitable material, preferably metal, and may be ornamented in any suitable manner. Uponsaid base-is a curved wall'3, that is integral or not, as pi'eferred, with the base, and on'one side of said wall'an opening is provided that is normally closed bya shield 4L, secured to the base by any suitable means-and readily removable to permitaccess tothe mechanism of the machine; A cover 5"is provided for the top of the-wall and has a dependingflange 6, forming a close joint therewith. At intervals'on the cover I pr ovid'e a' circle of figures and charactersfformir'i'ga dial, visible to the operator and corresponding, respectively, to the dies for making the perforations in the paper. There maybe any number of these figures or characters; but I prefer to provide figures from 1 to 10, inclusive, and the usual dollar and pound marks, together with a certain character, such as a star,that is usually formed in the paper at the end of the figures perforated therein. Within the base 2 I pro- 'vide-a semicircular shelf 7, Whereon astationpression-of the die-plate those dies that happen to be above said pad will'be brought into e513; a hub provided'near the edge of a plate 'l 'aving lugsl-l; that are secured by any lole means, such-as set-screws l2, to'the under-side of the's'helf 7. The h-ub9-has-a vertical hole forming a bearing for the uprightshaft -13, having a reduced lowerend l4 fitting into a block-15 and'seoured therein byfa suitable washer and a pin 16.' The shaft 13 slides freely within the hub 9 and extends up through the top 5 and is flattened onthe *sides, as shown at'17, and is preferably provided with a' suitable ornamental'c'ap or head 118. Anarm 19 is provided for revolvin said 3 shaft,- sa'id arm having a hub 2OJpi oi -ided'W ith a rectangular hole to receivet'he upper end of saidsha ft andfitting within the hole in said top 5, being adapted to turn freely therei'n when the shaft is revolved. Y I prefer to secure the arm 19 on the top by placing a washer 21 over the lower end of the hub and forming a head on the hub below the washer.

The arm 19 is provided with a bend or turn to raise its outer end above the top, and a handle 22 is provided to fit over a hollow stud 23 near the outer end of said arm. Within said stud, projecting below said arm through a hole therein, is a pin 24, having a threaded shank 25 extending centrally through said hollow stud and up into the handle 22. A spring 26 on the shank 25 normally holds the pin 24 projected below the arm, and the lower end of the pin is cone-shaped or beveled to fit correspondingly-shaped depressions 27, provided at intervals in the top 5 within and respectively opposite the figures or characters thereon. The operator grasping the handle 22 and pulling up on the same or pressing sidewise can readily disengage the pin from any one of the depressions with which it may be in engagement and set the arm opposite any figure or character on the dial. 1 have found the employment of this pin and the shallow depressions permits a more convenient adjustment of the diei-plate-operating arm than an arm having a wedge-shaped .pin fitting a correspondingly-shaped notch, and I have also found that the use of the pin permits a slight lateral movement of the arm and does not necessitate such accuracy in the construction of the die-plate and the mechanism connected therewith. The spring within the hollow stud will hold the pin in adepression with a yielding pressure, and upon raising the handle 22 the spring will be compressed and the pin easily disengaged from one depression for movement to another.

Above the base 2 I provide a dieplate or holder 27, preferably formed integrally with the shaft 13 and vertically movable therewith when said shaft is operated. The die-plate and shaft are normallyheld in their raised position by a spring 29. The die-plate is preferably provided with a series of radiating arms 30, and on the under side of each arm I provide a die corresponding in outline to one of the characters or figures on the plate 5. These dies consist, preferably, of a series of needles 31, that are arranged to form the outline of the character or figure 'that is to be made in the paper. When the die-plate is depressed, these needles will perforate the paper, and their points being inked (in the manner to be hereinafter described) a quantity will be forced into the fiber of the paper through the perforations and will render it impossible for any alteration to be made in the figures or characters represented by the perforations, and will consequently prohibit raising the check or draft.

The die-plate is provided between its center and circumference with a series of holes 32, that are adapted to receive a pin 33, provided in the plate 10. At the beginning of lar 35 is secured by a pin 36.

the downward movement of the die-plate the pin will enter one of the holes and will act as a guide for the plate and prevent rotary movement of the same during the process of perforating and inking the paper. Mounted in bearings in the curved wall 3 above the dieplate is a horizontal shaft 34, whereon a col- The collar is provided with arms 37, which straddle the shaft 13 and are provided with rounded lower edges 38, that bear upon the top of the dieplate and slide freely thereon when the shaft is rocked. A crank 39 is secured on one end of the shaft 34 by a lock-nut 40, and an adjustable stop 41, locked by a set-screw 42, is provided on the base2 for limiting the downstroke of the crank 39. When the operator desires to perforate a check or draft, he will grasp the crank 39, depress the same, and rock the shaft 34. This movement of the shaft will cause the curved lower edges of the arms 37 to slide over the surface of the die-plate and will depress the same a distance corresponding to the depressions of the crank. Each depression, therefore, of the crank will rock the shaft and the arms having the cam or curved surfaces thereon and will actuate the die plate or holder to force the dies through and perforate the check or draft beneath. Upon releasing the crank the spring 25) will return the die-plate and its shaft to their normal position. I prefer to provide a stud 43 on the under side of the top plate 5, having a cap 44, of rubber or other suitable material, to engage one of the arms 37 and form a yielding stop to prevent any jar or noise arising from the rapid return of the die-plate to its normal position.

Pivoted on the plate 10 is an arm 45, normally held inengagement with a notch 46 in a pin 47 by a spring 48. The lower end of the pin 47 extends down into a hollow stud 49, wherein a spring 50 is arranged that normally holds the pin in an elevated position. A hole 50 in the bottom of the stud permits the pin to slide freely toward the bottom of the stud against the tension of the spring therein. The notch is beveled or inclined on its upper side, so that when the descending die-plate strikes the top of the pin 47 and depresses the same the arm 45 will be forced out of the notch and oscillated horizontally. I prefer to provide a fiat surface 47' on the notch side of the pin extending to the top thereof and adapted to bear on the arm when the pin is depressed and prevent it from turning out of its proper position while being operated. The arm 45 is pivoted near one end. Consequently its opposite end has a wide sweep, and at that point I provide an inking-roller 51, that is adapted to brush or sweep over the points of the dies prior to their engagement with the paper to be perforated. A stop-pin 45 on the plate 10 limits the stroke of the oscillating arm and prevents the same from coming and interfering with their operation.

paper is thus .inked on the downstroke of the die and the fiber where the paper is perforated will .be thoroughly saturated or filled with ink. The dies that are above thestationary inking-pad will be inked with each depression of the plate, and the die that represents the character .to be perforated in the paper will be inked before it makes the perforation, and consequently a thoroughinking or saturation of the fiber at the edges of the perforation on the upper side of the paper is assured. V

As shown in Fig. 11, the inking-roll is preferably secured between lugs 52 on, the end of the arm 45 by means of a threaded pin 53.

In Figs. 12 and 13 I have shown a modification of the inking device which consists in providing a block 54: near the outer end of said arm, said block-having a dovetailed groove 55 to receive a correspondingly-shaped back of a brush 56,'held therein between apin 57 and a spring 58. I prefer to provide an opening 58 in'the wall 3, through which access'may be had to the roll for repairs or inking purposes, and I may conceal the opening by a suitable cover. (Not shown.) It is also desirable to ink the points of the needles forming the dies after the same have passed through the paper, so that upon their return the edges of theperforations on the under side will be'inked also. With this end in viewI provide an annular inking-pad 59, arranged between two concentric rings 60 and 61. On each side of said rings I provide disks or plates 62 and 63.

The disk 63 is provided with cars 64:, and bolts 65, passing through said ears and through arms 66, provided on the disks: 62 and secured to the walls of the base 2, held the disks firmly together against the sides of the rings. The

disk 63 is provided withaslot 67 to receive a I depending arm 68, provided on the base, said arm having a shoulder 69,that forms a firm substantial support for said disk and the inner ring.

The lower end of the arm 68 has afork 70,

that straddles and forms a guide for a shaft 71, that extends through the slot 67 and through a corresponding slot 72 in the disk 62. The inner end of the shaft 71 is loosely mounted i'na spcket 73 in the hub 9, permitting its outer end-to be moved vertically, as

hereinafter described". The outer ring 60- is provided with a hole 74, beneath and corresponding to the die that may happen to be above the same when the machine is operated, and just before the die-plate reaches the limit of its downward stroke-and after the needles have made the perforations in the paper their points will pass down through the hole 74 into the annular inking-pad 59. The points of the needles will therefore be thoroughly inked,

will ink the fiber of the paper on the under side of the perforations and render still more remote the possibility of any change or alteration in the figures or characters. The inner ring beneaththe hole 74 is provided with a flattened portion 74', as shown in Fig. 5, and

the pad conforming thereto will present a flat surface to the dies and insure uniform inking of the same and prevent the paper from com spring arm 75, that is adapted to engage the paper and pull it 01f the points of the needles uponthe ascent of'the die-plate and prevent any sticking of the paper to the die and consequent delay in the operation of the machine. The spring-arm incloses the hole on two sides, the side toward which the paper moves being left open or unobstructed to prevent any possibility of smearing the ink after the perforation and before the paper passes out of the machine.

To rotate the annular inking-pad, Iprefer. to provide a spindle v75, whereon is secured a toothed Wheel 7 5", that is adapted to project through an opening 76' in the inner ring and The sp1ndle'75 exengage the inking-pad. :tends outside the base and is provided with a finger-grip 7 6" to be graspedby the opera tor when it is desired to revolve the toothed wheel and change the position of the pad. I do not wish to confine myself to this particular form of pad, as it may be made in various "ways and various means may be devised for operating it to change its position. sential feature of this pad is its adjustability, and any formof pad having this characteristic may be employed in the place of the one I have-herein shown and described.

Various means may be devised for feeding or advancing the paper automatically through the machine; but I prefer to adopt the con struction substantially as shownherein. The base 2 on one side extends out beyond the curved wall3, and it is provided with a top 76, that is inclined slightly from the center vtoward the sides or edges of the base. The wall 3 at this point is provided with an inclined slot or opening 77 to permit the edges I op The es- IIO of the check or draft to be inserted into posi- 7 adjustable guides'for the paper consisting of I slotted arms 79, secured onthe base by thumb-- screws 80. On the outer endof the shaft 71 I provide a wheel '81-, whose flanges project.

up through slots 82 in the top 76 and are normally held in a raised position by a spring 83. A roll 84 is secured on the curved wall by a conical-headed screw 85, which permits the check or draft to be easily slipped in between the guides. The feed-wheel 81 is held by its spring in yielding contact with the roll 84, and to depress said wheel to permit the insertion of the paper between it and said rolls I provide a lug 86, mounted on a shaft 87 and fitting within an annular groove 88 in one end of the feed-wheel. The shaft 87 is supported at its inner end in a bracket 89 and its outer end projects through the wall of the base and is provided with a lever-arm 90, which upon being depressed will rock said shaft and move the feed-wheel away from the roll 8 1.

Near the inner end of the shaft 71 I provide two ratchets 91 and 92, secured by any suitable means on said shaft, the ratchet 92 being of greater diameter than the ratchet 91. An arm 93 on the block 15 is provided with an upwardly-extending fork 94:, that straddles the shaft'71 and prevents the hearing from rotating with the shaft 18 and forms a guide therefor during its vertical movement. An arm 95 is provided on the fork 94;, carrying a dog 96, that is normally held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 92 by a spring 97. Upon the depression of the die-plate and the shaft 13 the dog 96 will be moved away from the teeth of the ratchet and upon its return will engage a tooth thereof, causing the same to rotate one tooth and revolve the shaft and the feed-roller 81, mounted thereon, and advance the paper one notch. A stop 98 on the opposite side of the ratchet will prevent backward movement of the same. 1 also prefer to provide a set-screw 99 in the arm 93 for regulating the stroke or travel of the ratchet and preventing it from moving too far when struck by the ascending dog. I also prefer to provide a spring 100, having a V-shaped bend 101 to fit the space between the teeth of the ratchet 91. When the operator depresses the die-plate and moves the dog 96 away from the teeth of its ratchet, the die will engage the paper and make the perforation therein, and on the return stroke of the plate the dog will engage the ratchet and move it one tooth, operating the feed mechanism and advancing the paper. During the movement of the ratchet 92 the spring 100 will slip over the teeth of its ratchet and after the V-shaped bend has passed over the point of a tooth its tension will move the ratchets the remainder of the step even if the die-plate and dog are not allowed to return to the limit of their upstroke. This feature of the device I have found to be of considerable value when it is desired to operate the machine rapidly, the spring insuring the proper movement of the ratchets upon each depression of the die-plate even if the plate is depressed a second time before it returns to its normal elevated position. Furthermore, the spring 100 will cause the ratchets to adjust themselves so that the teeth of the larger ratchet will be in their proper position with respect to the actuatingdog 96.

The shaft 71 is sufiiciently loose in its hearings in the hub 9 to permit the oscillation of its outer end and the depression of the feedwheel 81, the slots in the disks through which said shaft passes being of the proper size to permit unobstructed vertical movement thereof.

The details of construction may be modified in many ways by any one skilled in the art without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcut 1. The combination, with a die plate or holder arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane and vertically movable on its axis and provided with a series of dies arranged at intervals thereon, of means operated by the depression of said plate and when near the limit of its downward movement for automatically inking a die after it has been adjusted opposite the paper to be marked and before it engages the same.

2. The combination, with a die-plate arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane and vertically movable on its axis and provided with a series of dies arranged on the under side thereof at intervals, of oscillating means operated by the descent of said plate and when near the limit of its downward movement for inking the face of a die after it has been adjusted over the paper to be marked and d n ring its movement toward the same.

3. The combination, with a die plate or hold er arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane and vertically movable on its axis and provided with a series of dies at intervals thereon, of an oscillating inking-roll operated by the depression of said holder and when near the limit of its downward movement for automatically inking a die after it has been adjusted opposite the paper to be marked and before it engages the same.

4:. The combination, with a die-holdcr arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane and vertically movable on its axis and provided with a series of dies arranged at intervals thereon, of a pivoted arm and an inking device carried thereby, and said arm being operated by the depression of said plate when near the limit of its downward movement to move said inking device over the face of a die after it has been adjusted opposite the paper to be marked and before it engages the same.

5. The combination, with a die-holder arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane and vertically movable on its axis and provided with a series of dies arranged at intervals thereon, of an oscillating arm 15,-provided with an inking device adapted to engage the face of the die when said holder is depressed, a spring 48 connected with said arm, and

means actuated by the depression of said platefor oscillating said arm against the tension of said spring to movesaid inking device across the face of a die after it has been adjusted opposite the paper tobe, marked and before it engages the same.-

6. The combination, with a vertically-mov able die-plate and dies, of an oscillating arm,

an inking device provided thereon, a spring' connected with said arm, a yieldingly-held pin in the path of said plate, said pin having a notch to receive said arm, the upper. edge of said notch being beveled, whereby the descent of said pin will oscillatesaid arm, for

the purpose specified.

7 The combination, with a vertically-movable die-plate and dies, of an oscillating arm 45,an inking-roller 51 provided thereon, a

spring 18 connected with said arm and normally holding the same in :a retracted position, a vertically-movable pin engaging said arm and adapted to be actuated by the descent of said plate to oscillate said arm and move said inking device across the face of the die, for the purpose specified.

8. The combination, with a vertically-movable shaft, of. a die-plate mounted thereon and provided with a series of dies, means for normovement thereof to ink the face of a die preparatory to the perforating operation, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with a movable dieplate and dies provided thereon, of an annular inking-pad, a casing wherein said pad is inclosed, said-casing havinga slot or opening to receive a die after it has perforated the paper, and means for rotating said pad independently of its casing to present a fresh surfaceto the die, substantiallyas described.

11. The combination, with a movable dieplate and dies provided at intervals thereon,

of means for automatically inking a die during its continuous movement toward the paper to be marked or perforated, and means for inking the die after the perforation has been completed.

12. The combination, with a movable dieplate andv the dies provided thereon, of a movable inking device actuated by the movement of said plate to ink the face of a die preparatory to the marking orperforating operation, and means for inking the under side of themark or character made in the paper bysaid die, substantially as described.

18. In a machine of the class described, an inking device comprising concentricrings, an annular pad provided between them, disks between which said rings are arranged andsecurely held, said outer ring having an openingto receive a die, and means for rotating said-pad to expose fresh surfaces to the action of a die, substantially as described.

14. In a machine of the class described,'an inking device comprising concentric rings, an

. annular pad provided between them, the outer ring having an-opening 74 exposing a portion of said pad and adapted to receive a die, and

said inner ring having a flattened portion 74 beneath the exposed portion-of said pad, for

the purpose specified.

' 15'. The combination, with a vertically-re ciprocating die 'plate and a series of dies provided thereon. of means actuated by the descent of said plate for inking a die immedi-' atelyprior to its engagement with the paper to be marked or perforated, and means for inking the under side of the mark or character in the paper formed by said die, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with a shaft 71, of a I feed-wheel provided with an annular groove 88 mounted thereon, a rock-shaft having a lug to enter said groove, means for rocking said shaft to depress said wheel,-means for normally holding said wheel in its raised position, and a roller 84 coacting with said wheel.

17. The combination, with a base, of ink-v ing and perforating devices thereon, a feed mechanism, a wall inclosing said. inking and perforating devices, said wall being provided with an inclined opening or slot and notches 78provided in the lower edge of said wall op posite said perforating andinking devices, for the purpose specified.

18. In a check-protector, the combination, with a die-holder arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane and vertically movable on its axis and provided with a series of .dies arranged at intervals thereon, of an inking device operated by thedepression of said holder and when near the limit of its downward movement for automatically inkinga die after it has been adjusted opposite the paper to be marked and before it engages the same, and said inking device operating to ink a die-Without projecting beyond theperiphery of said holder. 1

19. i The combination, with a horizontal rotating die-plate havinga vertical movement on its axis and provided with a-series of fixed needle-point dies at intervals thereon, of

means actuated by the descent of said plate for inking the face of a die after its adjustment over the paper to be marked and prior to its engagement therewith.

V 20. The combination, with a vertically-reciprocating die plate or holder and a series of needle-pointdies provided at intervals thereon and adapted to perforate or puncture the paper upon the descent of said plate, means actuated by the descent of said plate for inkinga die just prior to its engagement with the paper, and means for inking the points of said dies after their passage through the paper, substantially as described.

21. The combination, with a movable die plate or holder and a series of cutting or perforating dies provided thereon, of means for inking a die during its descent toward and just prior to its engagement with the paper to be perforated or cut, and an adjustable inkpad for receiving and inking a die after its passage through the paper, substantially as described.

22. The combination, with a movable die plate or holder and the needle-point dies provided at intervals thereon, of a rock-shaft having'a lever for operating said plate, and

pads for inking the points of said needles, substantially as described.

23. The combination, with the shaft 71 and the feed-wheel provided thereon, of the ratchets 91 and 92 secured on said shaft, a dog 96 normally engaging the teeth of said ratchet 92 and adapted to actuate the same, means preventing the backward movement of said ratchet 92, and a spring 100 engaging the Eeejth of said ratchet 91, for the purpose speci- 24. The combination, with a shaft 71 and a feed-wheel secured thereon, of ratchets 91 and 92 secured on said shaft, a dog 96 engaging the teeth of said ratchet 92, means preventing the backward movement of said last-named ratchet, a set-screw adapted to engage the teeth of said ratchet 92, and a spring adapted to bear on the teeth of said ratchet 91 and regulate the travel of the same, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of January, 1901.

G-AYLORI) \V. BEEBIC.

In presence of RICHARD PAUL, M. C. NOONAN. 

